SubscribeThe Embargo Diet
When a country experiences an economic crisis, it is hard to find a silver lining. In Cuba, however, citizens have seen a remarkable change in their nation's health since a major economic fallout between 1990-1993.
A double whammy of the US embargo combined with the collapse of the Soviet Union had left the citizens of Cuba unable to afford much food or gas - forcing people to eat less and walk everywhere. Here are some of the events that transpired, according to a report from the Canadian Medical Association Journal:
- Average daily food consumption fell from about 3,000 calories to less than 2,000
- Unable to drive, Cubans began to walk and cycle just about everywhere. The percentage of physically active adults rose from 30 to 67%.
- Predictably there was weight loss, but not as much as one might expect - an average of about 10 lbs. Rates of obesity did drop in half though, from 14 to 7%.
- The mini-depression also had its downsides. Infant mortality rates rose as did neurological conditions - likely due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Fast forward to the period between 1997-2002 when something remarkable happened.
- Death rates from diabetes dropped by 51 per cent.
- Death rates from coronary artery disease dropped by 35 per cent.
- Death rates from strokes dropped by 20 per cent.
- Deaths from all causes dropped by 18 per cent.
Alas, with the Cuban economy now relatively strong, residents are resuming poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. As recently as 2005, the percentage of overweight Cubans is right around 60%, while the obesity rates have clambered back up to 14.9% for men and a shocking 24.6% for women. Cuba has one of the highest sugar intakes in the world at 20% of total calories.
It's too bad other countries couldn't undergo the same transformations (without being forced into it, of course). It just goes to show though that boosting your physical activity and cutting back on calories does have a positive impact on health. There's more to the story to be sure, but it's a good start.
References:
- Reed G, Frank M, Epidemic Neuropathy in Denial of Food and Medicine: The Impact of the US Embargo on Health & Nutrition in Cuba. Washington, DC: American Association for World Health; 1997 p. 195-199.
- WHO Global Infobase: http://www.who.int/ncd_surveillance/infobase/web/
It sounds like the research conducted by Dr. Weston Price, but in reverse
Replyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weston_A._Price
It would be nice if people could be inspired to make changes like this for health reasons, but I think a lot of folks see it as deprivation of the highest order.
"Eat less? Walk more? Why should I have to downsize or sacrifice quality of life?"
Seriously, I heard someone on the radio say almost those exact words!
ReplyThis is a good example of how diet and exercise have many effects on our bodies. The importance of diet and exercise for our bodies can't be overstated. It seems like every day there's new research that shows a different way nutrition can affect diseases.
ReplyMan, that is reaching for a silver lining.
Reply.. or, perhaps looking at everything with the same microscope. Still, it got me wondering how this compares with the effects of other long-held embargoes.
ReplyIt is very sad that while we are getting wealth, we start to gain weight. I saw this many times with people around me.
When I was a student, all around me were fit and well looking, probably because we go to university, had a job to cover expenses, we didn't have enough money, but the life was fun and we all looked good.
Since my friends finished university, get a nice job, slowly they become fat and unhealthy.
The moral is that it is your choice to be fat, but people need excuses that it is somebody else fault.
Stop stuff with food! Use your muscles every day!
ReplyEnjoy life, not food!
I read somewhere that Americans may lose some weight as a result of the recession and high gas prices. If people have to pay an arm and a leg for gas, they'll walk more places and bike more often. I don't know if they'll stop eating the junk food though. If anything, some people might begin buying more of it because it's cheaper than real food. I still haven't resorted to cutting out my favorite foods...I have stopped buying treats as often, but that's about the extent of my recession cut-back spending.
ReplyThis is kind of off-topic but I have noticed that when I watch TV (usually on weekends only as I don't have time during week days) I end up eating more (I'm actually feeling hungrier) and noticed every 5 mins when there's a commercial it's 90% about food! I have decided to eschew TV all together (unless it's PBS, or a rental). I think it's completely subliminal and people serious about losing weight should look at their behavior while watching TV.
ReplyGood article...Almost all the food that you eat in Cuba is not processed or packaged like it is here in the states. No fast food, to make you fat.
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